Lamp having hollow translucent lamp-socket-supporting members containing translucentelectrolyte



March 1952 D. SPENCE 2,589,448 LAMP HAVING HOLLOW, TRANSLUCENT, LAMP-SOCKET-SUPPORTING MEMBERS CONTAINING TRANSLUCENT ELECTROLYTE Filed May 12, 1948 [5 A l 3 3 5a /4/ Z9 3025 if F91. jg. Z.

Gttorneg Patented Mar. 18, 1952 OFFICE LAMZP HAVING HOLLOW TRANSLUCENT LAMP SOCKET SUPPORTING MEM- BERS CONTAINING TRAN SLUCENT ELECTROLYTE Henry D. Spence, Plymouth, Mich. Application May 12, 1948, Serial No. 26,559 7 Claims. (01. 240-31) This invention relates to electric lighting fixtures and, in particular, to such fixtures which are supported by uprights such as floor lamps or table lamps.

One object of this invention is to provide an electric lighting fixture having translucent uprights supporting the lamp, these uprights having invisible conductors for conducting the electric current to and from the lamp, so that the conductors are completely concealed.

Another object is to provide an electric lighting fixture of the foregoing character wherein the uprights consist of tubular translucent members containing electrolytes, with electrodes at the top and bottom thereof for leading the current into and out of the electrolyte.

Another object is to provide an electric lighting fixture of the foregoing character wherein the uprights consist of a pair of translucent tubes mounted side by side, or a pair of tubes mounted one within the other, the tubes bein of insulating material.

Another object is to provide an electric lighting fixture of the foregoing character which is especially adapted for use with fluorescent lighting tubes, the upright consisting of a hollow walled transparent tube containing an electrolyte which serves as a conductor to transmit current from the base of the lamp to the top of the fluorescent tube.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a central vertical section, partly in side elevation, through an electric lightin fixture according to a preferred form of the invention, having transparent uprights with concealed electrical conductors;

Figure 2 is a central vertical section, partly in side elevation, through a modification of the electric lighting fixture shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a further reduced central vertical section partly in side elevation through a further modification of the electric lighting fixture shown in Figures 1 and 2, and especially adapted for use with fluorescent lighting tubes or other luminous gas-discharge tubes.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 shows an electric lighting fixture, generallydesignated I6, according to a preferred form of the invention, as consisting of a base II of any desired shape having recesses I2 and I3 arranged side by side and opening into a central recess I4 which in turn communicates with the outside side Wall of the base II by means of a bore I5. Inserted in cup-like opaque members I 6 seated in the recesses I2 and I3 are two enclosed trans lucent tubes I1 and I 8 having chambers I9 therein containing an electrolyte 20, such as a solution of sodium chloride in water. Also mounted within the chambers I9 are lower electrodes 2| and 22 and upper electrodes 23 and 24. The lower electrodes 2| and 22 are connected by conductors 25 and 26 to terminals 27 and 28 secured to the bridge portion 29 between the recesse I2 and I3 by screws 30. Connected to the terminals 21 and 28 are wires 3| and 32 respectively contained in a cable 33 which passes outward through the bore I5 and terminates in the usual connection plug, the prongs of which are connected respectively to the wires 3| and 32. The electrodes 2| to 24 and the conductors 25, 26, 34 and 35 may be of copper or other metal which does not disintegrate easily when immersed in an electrolyte and subjected to the passage of an electric current. The conductors 25, 26, 34 and 35 are preferably sealed in the opposite ends of the tube I1 and I8 so as to prevent leakage of the electrolyte 20.

The upper conductors 34 and 35 lead into an electric light socket or receptable 38 of any conventional type and containing a conventional incandescent light bulb 39. The socket 38 has the usual knob 40 for actuatin the control switch not shown) by which the electrodes of the socket 38 may be placed into or out of communicaticn with the electric current in the conductors 34 and 35. The electric light'socket 38 is provided with the usual threaded stem 4| which is threaded into a bore 42 in a cap 43 mounted on the upper ends of the tubes I1 and I8. For this purpose, the cap 43 is provided with a pair of adjacent recesses 44 and 45 containing opaque cup-like members 46 similar to the members l6 and for a similar purpose. The recesses 44 and 45 open into a cavity 41 in the cap 43 through which the conductors 34 and 35 and wires 36 and 31 pass on their way to the stem 4| of the electric light socket 38.

In the operation of the form of the invention shown in Figure l, the plug on the end of the cable 33 is plugged into the usual convenience outlet and the switch knob 40 turned to close the circuit. @When this is done, current flows, for examplejfrom the wir 3| through the conductor 25 to the lower electrode 2i, thence through the electrolyte 20 to the upper electrode 23, conductor 34, into the socket 38 and electric light bulb 39. The current returns by way of the conductor 35,:electrode 24, electrolyte 20, electrode 22, conductor 26 and Wire 32 to the connection plug. Thus, the current flows through the transparent electrolyte 2a in both of the uprights H and IS without the necessity for the use of opaque conductors for that purpose. The person looking at the lighting fixture I is thus mystified as to the manner in which electricity is conveyed to and from the electric light bulb 39 without the use of copper wires or other opaque conductors running through the tubes H and I8. The electrodes 2|, 22, 23 and 24 are concealed by the cup-like members l6 and it.

The modified lighting fixture. generally designated 53 shown in Figure 2 consists of a base 51 with a single recess 52 leading into a central cavity 53 and containing a relatively large cup-like opaque member 55. Mounted in the cup-like member 54 is an upright unit or pillar 55 consisting of outer and inner tubular members 58 and 51 containing electrolyte portions 53 and 59 respectively. Mounted in the outer chamber 60 containing the electrolyte portion 58 is an annular electrode 6| which is connected by a conductor 62 passing through the lower end of the outer tube 56 to a terminal 63 in the base cavity 53. Similarly, the lower end of the inner chamber 64 contains an electrode 65 connected to a conductor 66 which passes through they lower end thereof to a terminal 61 likewise mounted in the cavity 53. A cable 33 containing wires 3| and 32 similar to those in Figure l is connected to the terminals 63 and and at its outer end carries a similar connection plug (not shown).

The chambers 66 and 54 at their upper ends contain electrodes H and E2 similar to the electrodes 6! and 85 and similarly connected to 5.

conductors l3 and 14 passing through the upper end of the tube unit 55 into the electric light socket 38 which is of a pattern similar to that of Figure I and which has its stem similarly threaded into a bore H in the upper end of a hollow cap 13 containing a recess 19 which fits down over a cup-like opaque member 80 which in turn fits over the upper end of the tube unit 55. The light socket 38 is provided with the usual switch knob and also contains a conventional electric light bulb 39.

The operation of the modified lighting fixture 59 shown in Figure 2 is similar to that of the lighting fixture Ill shown in Figure 1, except in one direction is conductedthat current through the electrolyte portion 58 in the outer chamber Ell, and in the other direction through the electrolyte portion 59 in the inner chamber 64. The modification shown in Figure 2 gives the appearance of a single pillar without any apparent conductors leading to the light socket 15., thereby increasing the mystifying efiect upon the observer.

The modified lighting fixture 90 shown in Figure 3 is especially well-adapted for use with a conventional fluorescent lighting tube 9|, and for this purpose is provided with a base 92 having acup-shaped socket 93 into which is fitted the lower end of a hollow-walled tube unit 94 forming the upright or pillar. The tube unit 94 is provided with outer and inner walls 95 and 9S enclosing a chamber $1 containing an electrolyte 98. Annular lower and upper electrodes 59 and ISO and conductors I!!! and 22 are mounted in the lower and upper ends respectively of the tube unit,%. The lower conductor NH is connected to a terminal "33 within the base cavity H34 whereas the upper terminal I02 is, engaged by a contact arm [95 which in turn is connected to the. upper tube socket H36 a be mounted within the base cavity 104.

unit .94 fits. of the base. 92, and cap H4 extend a suflicient 4 for the fluorescent lighting tube 9|, the lower socket ID! of which is connected by the conductor I08 to a terminal W9. A cable 33 similar to that of Figures 1 and 2 and similarly containing wires SI and 32 leads respectively to the terminals I03 and H19, and has a conventional connection plug (not shown), on its outer end for insertion in a convenience outlet. The upper tube socket IDS is mounted in a cavity H3 in a hollow cap I I4 which also contains a counterbore H5 into which the upper end of the tube In this modification, the side Walls distance along the tube unit 94 to serve as skirts concealing the electrodes 99 and I00.

The operation of the fluorescent lighting fixture 91] shown in Figure 3 is generally similar to that of the fixtures l0 and. 50 shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively. For the types of tube 9| requiring it, the usual ballast (not shown) may Since the fluorescent tube 9| extends from the bottom to the top of the lighting fixture Si), connection can be made directly to its lower end, henceonly a single conductor is required to be run to its upper end. For this reason, only a single electrolyte portion 98 needs to be employed.

All three lighting fixtures I6, 50 and of the invention possess the common feature of providing a substantially invisible electrical connection between the base connections and the lamp socket. The electrolyte, if desired, or the material of the tubes themselves, may be made of any suitable color to increase the beauty of the fixture. As previously stated, the fixture may be of any desired height, so that it may serve either as a table lamp or floor-lamp, It is to, be understood that the term translucen tused herein also includes the term transparent as the uprights may be of transparent material and possess the same advantages. An opaque conductor in a translucent pillar appears. as a vertical shadow even though it may not be clearly seen. The present invention by eliminating such conductors, likewise eliminates the shadows thereof.

What I claim is:

1. An electric lighting fixture for the reception of an electric lamp, comprising a base, a hollow translucent upright rising from said base, said upright having a substantially completely enclosed chamber therein containing a translucent electrolyte extending substantially from the bottom to the, top of said upright, spaced electrodesmounted in the upper and lower regions respectively of said electrolyte, a lamp receptacle mounted on said upright and electrically connected to one of said electrodes, all portions of said upright and everything contained in the chamber therein between, said spaced upper; and lower electrodes includingsaid electrolyte being completely translucent, and a lamp energization circuit connected to said receptacle and including said electrodes with said electrolyte in series therewith, said electrolyte constituting the sole direct electrical conductor between said spaced electrodes.

An electric lighting fixture for the reception of an electric lamp, comprising a, base, a

hollow translucentupright structure having a plurality of substantially completely enclosed chambers therein containing translucent electroe lyte portions, spaced electrodes mounted in the upper and lower regions of said electrolyte por tions, a. lamp. receptacle mounted on saidupright structure and electrically connected to the upper region electrodes, all portions of said upright structure and everything contained in the chainbers therein between said spaced upper and lower electrodes including said electrolyte portions being completely translucent, and a lamp energization circuit connected to said receptacle, said electrodes being disposed in said circuit in series with said electrolyte portions, said electrolyte portions constituting the sole direct electrical conductors between their respective spaced electrodes.

3. An electric lighting fixture for the reception of an elec ric lamp, comprising a base, a hollow translucent upright structure having a plurality of chambers therein containing electrolyte portions, a lamp receptacle mounted on said upright structure, and a lamp energization circuit connected to said receptacle in series with said electrolyte portions, said upright structure including a pair of translucent tubular members arranged side by side and containing said electrolyte portions.

4. An electric lighting fixture for the reception of an electric lamp, comprising a base, a i

hollow translucent upright structure having a plurality of chambers therein containing electrolyte portions, a lamp receptacle mounted on said upright structure, and a lamp energization circuit connected to said receptacle in series with said electrolyte portions, said upright structure including a pair of translucent tubular members arranged one inside the other and containing said electrolyte portions.

5. An electric lighting fixture for the reception of an electric lamp, comprising a base, a hollow translucent upright structure having a plurality of chambers therein containing electrolyte portions and having electrodes mounted in the upper and lower regions thereof, a lamp receptacle mounted on said upright structure, and a lamp energization circuit connected to said receptacle in series with said electrodes and electrolyte portions, said upright structure including a pair of translucent tubular members arranged side by side and containing said electrodes and electrolyte portions.

6. An electric lighting fixture for the reception of an electric lamp, comprising a base, a hollow translucent upright structure having a plurality of chambers therein containing electrolyte portions and having electrodes mounted in the upper and lower regions thereof, a lamp receptacle mounted on said upright structure, and a lamp energization circuit connected to said receptacle in series with said electrodes and electrolyte portions, said upright structure including a pair of translucent tubular members arranged one inside the other and containing said electrodes and electrolyte portions.

'7. An electric lighting fixture for the reception of a fluorescent lighting tube, comprising a base having a receptacle therein for one end of said tube, a hollow-walled tubular translucent upright rising from said base and having a wall chamber with an electrolyte therein and a central chamber for the reception of said tube, a top member mounted on said upright having a receptacle for the other end of said tube, electrodes mounted in the upper and lower regions of said wall chamber, and a tube energization circuit connected to said receptacle in series with said electrodes and electrolyte.

HENRY D. SPENCE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of 'record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 264,656 Edison Sept. 19, 1832 1,097,922 'Ferand May 26, 1914 2,221,944 Goddard Nov. 19, 1940 

